Foldable and extensible sock stretcher and drier



Aug. 1, 1944. I M. D. CAUSER 2,354,849

FOLDABLE AND EXTENSIBLE SOCK-S'IRETCHER AND DR IEH Filed, March 17 1943 Z] woe/Wm MABEL'DORSEYCAUSER Patented Aug. 1, 1944 UNITED FOLDABLE AND EXTENSIBLE- sock s'rmrrcnca AND DRIER i Mabel Dorsey Gauser, Sarasota, Fla. Application March 17, 1943, Serial No. 479,445 Claims. (01.223 17) This invention relates to sock-stretching and drying forms, and has for its primary object to provide a portable device of this character for both soldiers and civilians which can be manufactured in practically one standard uniform size, so that it may be supplied or resented to so] diers or others having varying unknown sizes of feet,-being adjustable to all of them, and which may be folded up and mailed to distant points and conveniently carried in kit-bags.

One articularly that can be produced inllarge quantities notonly at an irreducible minimum of expense, but also without requiring any often unobtainable skilled labor whatever. One that will :to any need to employ metals or other materials priority-directed to more essential war-offensive. My invention consists of a form made in the shape of the human foot, in .three pieces of plastic or Masonite or pressed boardmaterial, devoid of any metal whatever, devoid of any auxiliary parts or appendages of a metallic. or hard or other machined or cast.- material-,assembled together in one unitary device by means o fan linsertible, detachable and flexible hinge means as to the upper and middle sections, and by a combinedhinging, assembling, detachable, ex-

tensible, foldable means as to the middle-and ;none of these shows or describes .or has claimed to have invented, and there is not now or ever has been on the, market, so far as I know, any device of this nature which, (a) has been manu factured out of plastic or pressed board without-.

appendages, and yet is folda ble" andextensible;

(b). orany which can be made without metals and yet is foldable andv extensible; (c) or any be light, strong, efiicient, with no mechanisms or 1,

which has my idea, principle and, invention of a stretcher which is assembled, hinged, and, made extensible and foldable all by the one means or expedient; (d) any which does not rust or tear the goods or have protruding parts to hinder hailing, and yet is both foldable, extensible, detachable; (c) any device whatever which will stretch all sizes of socks, that can be manufactured today in war times, owing topriority bans on materials required to make any and all known inventions of this nature, and to the impossibility of getting such parts manufactured' today.

In the accompanying drawing forming part hereof:

Figure 1 is a, side elevation of the sockstretcher and drier in operative position. partially extended, ready for the sock.

- Figure 6 is a reduced perspective elevation of the device, so folded.

My improved sock-stretcher and drier is composed of a plurality of sections l, 2, and 3', of flat water-and moisture-proof material such as Masonite, pressed-board" or plastic, struck out from a sheet or pile of sheets of the selected ma terial by dies, or jig-sawed out of such a pile.

-These three sections are of the shapes'sho'wn in the drawing, and when laid together comprise a form having the contour of a humanfo'ot in profile or a flattened sock, all of a predetermined size to be best adapted to a wide range of varying feet; it being desirableto make the central and toe portions of the form amply wide, for lateral stretching of the foot-wear ,and the upper end of the leg-portion not too wide, because it is 'not usually desired to stretch this part of the sock and so impair its snu nfiss.

The sock-stretcher is thus divided into the upper or leg-section I, the middle or angle-andheel-section 2, the toe-and-ball-section 3; herein called, for brevity and clarity, the leg-section, I,

ankle-section 2, toe-section 3. The length of each is arranged so that the end-sections fold neatly upon the middle one, which is left a solid one-piece heel-and-ankle form for the'important shaping of that portion of the sock which is conventionally fu -fashioned, or which in less well- 2 are connected and held in abutment and piv-: I

otally movable relatively, by a uniting and hinging lacing 6 inserted and drawn through the oppositely-disposed eyelet-holes 4 and 5, which perlowest adjustment, it passes through eyeletholes 9 and II only. But this is merely the best mode of usage, and the lacing may be used as desired.

In folding the toe-section over upon the anklesection, if the easier-folding osition of abutting edegs or maximum length is not being used, it is desirable that the toe-section be under the anklesection, with the latter overlapping, since then the folding is more easily accomplished than if the toe-section overlaps the ankle-section, in

which position it will be found more difficult I to fold, and the lacing l2 will need to be well mits the folding of one section upon the other. The lacing is inserted from the underside of the. sections to the upper faces thereof, across their junction, and tied in bow-knot 1.

The lower end of the ankle-sectionZis provided near its edge with two parallel series of aligned eyelet-holes.8 and .9. .Thetoe-section 3 ,is provided near its upper edge with two'similar series of parallel eyelet-holes l0 and II, which oppositely register with theeyelet-holes 8 and 9 of the ankle-section 2 when the two sections are held in abutting position, and correspondingly register upon and over the said eyelet-holes when the two sections overlap. v

These two sections 2 and 3 are. connected and retained in various possible 'p'o'sitionsbya lacing l2 inserted and drawn through the, eyeletholes of each section, from underneath to upper face and back. If the laces are drawn'tightly, the sections are hold moreffirmly together but-if not drawn too tightly, the section's maybe folded one upon the other without first juntying the bow-knot l3, in which it is' tied at its ends. I 7

It will be obviousthat by untying and removing the lacing l2, and adjusting and extending the toe-section 3 upon the ankle-sectionl, or' re tracting it, so that the length of the form is al tered, and reinserting and retying the'lacin g l2, the device is capable of stretching socks of varying sizes, while yet the extension-adjustment factor permits folding of thesectionsinalltheir adjustments, indeed is itself the sole hinging expedient. I

By extending the device so that the'edges of the two sections abut .and do not overlap; the greatest lengthof the stretcher 'is reached, to receive: the largest sock 'of-sthe range of 'sizes taken care of. Conversely, toj roduce aslightly shorter extension oi the footeportioniof the sock,

the'sections 2 and 3 are brought to: overlap 'so that eyelet-holes 8-register-uponeyelet holes ID, the lacing, l2 being changed to holdthem together.

' loosened to allow it; the best rule being by all 'means to place the toe-section always underneath: The device folds in any overlapping adjustment, as well as when abutting, even with the sock on.

- The number of the parallel series of eyelet- .holes 8 and 9, and Ill and H, inthe ankle-section and the toe-section respectively, is not 'limited'; there may be additional lines of these eyelet-holes, and the spacing of them may be such 'as, .to permit of more numerous adjustments in shorter steps or longer, as deemed best.

.Thus the limits of extension may be enlarged to almost any reasonable degree. I, find, however,

that the arrangement shown, with two series on each section, is ample to cover all likely re- .quirements. V

Each section is provided with one or more ventilating holes [4, and the leg-section l with :a hole l5 for hanging, the stretcher up with the sock on it, all as is usual in devices of this nature. Two socks maybe dried on one stretcher, one

drawn onover the othenor a pair of forms may be employed. The socks are usually washed first,

wrung out, and applied upon the stretcher to dry, having adjusted it to suit the length needed. Theymay alsobe placed upon the stretcher when just off the feet, damp from wearing, or socks already dried and too much, shrunken, may be principle thereof, embraces any non-metallic,

flexible, and single, unitary, quadro-functional Again changing the lacing land moving-the ankle-section 2" and toe-section 3 f urthertogether, until eyelet-holes 8 register upon eyeletholes ll, and'eyelet-holes 9 uponj'eyelet-holes l9, and reinserting the lacing, a, still shorter adjustment of length is achieved. And, by still further overlapping thesectionsuntil eyelet-holes 9- register uponthe ey'elet-holes .l l,,the lowest ad- Justment of theffoot-portion is found. I

In theflabutting position of thesectiQns, of-

fering the maximum extension, the lacing l2ien-, gages only the two oppositely-adjacent,eyelet holes of the two sections; in the slightly-shorter adjustment, the lacihg passes throughone series of eyelet-holes in one section and two series in a the other the j next shorter adjustment, it en ges two series in each sect on; andin the means for, at the one operation and with the one mechanical expedient,assembling the adjacent parts togetherat the junction of the toe and ankle sections, hinging them, rendering them extensiblefand rendering them detachable, and

enabling the said assembling, hinging, extending; and detaching unitary means to be replaced when worn out, by means of which principle,

idea and invention I have produced the only device of this character capable of accomplishalternative, positions of adjustment, and connected them together for the quadro-functional purposes above-indicated, by a flexible lacing adapted as like simple, non-metallic, non-injurious means for retaining them in such adjustlment. 'This invention of mine, as thus defined, is novel and 1S the only way known up to now to produce any extensible and foldable sockstretcher achieving the purposes and performing the functions of my'invention; an'dI'hold this principle as new and-'originaland of my own devisement, within the spirit ands'cope and purview'of my hereinafter appendedplaims.

The advantages of my invention will be manifest after this descriptionof its structure and operation, if reference'be had to'my statement at the outset, of "the-"objects of the invention, which it will now be seen arefully accomplished.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A foldable and. extensible sock-stretcher and drier, comprising exactly three sections which combined form a complete form of the entire shape of a foot flattened, without extra appurtenances, namely, a hinged upper leg section, a central unbroken heel, ankle and instep section, and a lower section comprising in one portion all of the remainder of the foot portion and the toe portion; the said lower section overlapping the central section, and both being provided with an adjustment and extension means whereby the lower foot section fits and sets in three distinct extension positions, the first an overlapping minimum short size, the second an overlapping materially larger size, and the third an abutting maximum size in which the sections do not overlap but lie in the same plane edge against edge; and a single means for simultaneously hinging the said two sections foldably and in any one of the three positions extended or retracted, with the sock or socks thereon stretching and folded away.

2. A foldable and extensible sock-stretcher and drier comprising exactly three sections which combined form a complete implement of the entire shape of a foot flattened, without extra appurtenances, projections or protrusions, namely, a hinged upper leg section, a central unbroken heel, ankle and instep section, and a lower section comprising in one portion all the remainder of the foot-portion and the toe portion; the said lower section overlapping the central section, and both formed to be extended in both overlapping and abutting adjustment and extension, whereby the lower foot and toe section fits and sets in three distinct extension positions, the first an overlapping minimum short size, the second an overlapping materially larger size, and the third an abutting maximum size in which the sections do not overlap but lie in the same plane edge against edge; and a single unitary combined hinging and assembling and adjustment retaining means, which is inserted in through the central and lower sections removably and interchangeably to simultaneously assemble, hinge foldably, and retain said two sections together in any one of the three alternative adjustment positions,-whereby said stretcher may be folded with a sock or socks on it, in any one of said three extension adjustments, and

put or packed away folded.

3. A foldable and extensible sock-stretcher and drier, comprising a plurality of separate sections of flat material which when placed together compose a foot-form comprising an upper or leg section, a central section including both the heel and ankle and instep portions and a lower toe section, the toe-section and the anklesection being each adjustably mounted one upon the other with the toe-section overlapping the ankle-section upon one surface of said anklel5 section, wherebythe' saidtoe-section may both fold over upon said ankle-section either above orbelow the same,-and may at the same time be adjusted in length longitudinally of the'fo'otform without altering the heel or instep or ankle of the form, and may be folded-over the said ankle-section in' any adjustment of said length relatively to the same, and being provided with -nonprotruding means for registering together in" any one of several longitudinally extensible positions; a'nd'a 's'i'nglenon-metallic means for simultaneously assembling or connecting said parts together, for hinging them in foldable relation, for retaining them in adjusted position, or any of such several adjustments, and for enabling the detachment and replacement of such attachment and hinging and retention means, whereby a sock of any of several sizes may be stretched upon said form, and the form folded in any of said several longitudinal adjustments with the said sock thereon; and the upper legsection being hinged to said ankle-section at the upper edge of the latter, by a single non-metallic means for attaching said sections together, the

said hinging means being also replaceably removable.

4. A foldable and extensible sock-stretcher and drier, comprising a plurality of separate sections of flat material which when placed together compose a foot-form, comprising an upper or leg-section, a central section including both the heel and ankle and instep portions and a lower toe-section, the leg-section being hinged to the ankle-section by a single assembling, con-, necting, detachable non-metallic means; the ankle-section at its opposite end, and the toesection, being adjustably mounted one upon another, with the toe-section overlapping the ankle-section upon one surface of said anklesection, whereby the said toe-section may both fold over upon said ankle-section either above or below the same, and may at the same time be adjusted in length longitudinally of the footform without altering the heel or instep or ankle of the form, and may be folded over the said ankle-section in any adjustment of said length relatively to the same, and being provided with means for registering them mutually together in any of several longitudinal adjustments to fit various lengths of foot with the one appliance, the said registering means being within the borders and substance of the two sections, nonmetallic and non-protruding; and a single uni tary, non-metallic, insertible, detachable means for simultaneously assembling, and connecting, hinging, holding in adjusted position or extension, holding in foldable position in any adjustment, the said toe-section and ankle-section, whereby a sock or socks of any of several sizes may be stretched upon said form, and the form folded in any of said several longitudinal adjustments with the said sock or socks thereon; the hinging means for assembling the leg-section and the ankle-section together in hinged relation being detachable by the user, and the said unitary means for assembling, hinging, holding folded, and holding in adjusted or extended position the said ankle-section and the toe-section, being flexible and operable as such single unit in any such extended or retracted position of said toe-section.

5. A foldable and extensible sock-stretcher and drier, made in three sections of flat material which when placed together compose a footform, the toe-section and the ankle-section being connected together by a single'unitary means for simultaneously assembling, connecting, .hinging in. foldable relation, retaining in any of several longitudinal extended relations, and easily permitting the detachment'of said parts, whereby the device may be employed for a number of sizes .iof isocks, may be' assembled,vand folded in extended or retracted positions, and its-said folding, extension-retaining means replaced from time to time by the user; the said single unitary means for so doingcomprising along infsertiblelacing, embracing the edges of --the ankle-section and the toe-section, extending through both said edges, and the said edges each being provided with two series of eyelet-holes arranged when registered mutually, to establish several foot-lengths of said foot-form, in which extensionrelation they remain held by said lac- .ing in such manner that they are foldable with the sock or socks thereon in any of the several extended positions fitting the sock or socks be- 1 ing' stretched and dried thereon.

' MABEL DORSEY C'AUIYSERQ 

